I'm with you guys on the garlic. I add it to just about everything. That's the closest thing to a "secret" ingredient I have. I have heard of nutmeg as quite an omnipotent secret spice, but I wouldn't know. I rarely use it.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival is held annually during the last full weekend in July. (So far, I always end up missing it, but I plan to go next year.)
http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com/